Kuti has spent much of his life preserving and expanding the revolutionary sounds of Afrobeat — a hard-edged melding of stateside funk and jazz grooves with ecstatic African sounds — and political messages that his father pioneered.
From a young age, Kuti was immersed in the world of music, joining Egypt 80 at just 8 years old. Now, as the leader of the band, he describes it not just as a musical group, but as “an African musical institution.”
Kuti’s commitment to the mission of Egypt 80 goes beyond the music. He speaks with immense pride about the historical significance of this band. “It is the most recorded band in the world,” he notes, with Egypt 80 having released over 54 albums.
“It was a labor of love,” he reflects, explaining how, even after his father’s passing in 1997, the band continued to play not for financial gain, but as a way to honor Fela’s vision and keep his presence alive through music.
Throughout his career, Kuti has maintained a strong focus on the music itself, saying, “The music comes first.” It’s a sentiment that speaks to the sacrifices that artists must often make. “The music takes away from everything else in your life,” Kuti admits, noting the personal toll a creative life can take.
Yet, he’s steadfast in his belief that music has the power to inspire and bring positive change to the world. Kuti’s music isn’t just about sound — it’s about delivering a message. His Afrobeat-infused songs have long been a platform for political and social commentary.
Kuti believes that art should be grounded in the realities of everyday life, not an escape from it. “Many people create art for escapism, and I’m not saying it’s bad, but the saturation of it creates an imbalance in the psyche,” he explains. His creative practice is rooted in social responsibility, aiming to ignite the consciousness of his audience and inspire action.
The global reach of Kuti’s music speaks to the deeply resonant nature of the messages he conveys. He explains, “There’s a lot of similarities in the working-class people all over the world, and what we share, the things that matter to us.” This shared experience of struggle and survival is a central theme in his music, and it connects with audiences across cultures.
Kuti’s current U.S. tour — which follows command performances at Coachella, the Blue Note in New York and the New Orleans Jazz Festival — includes a stop in Orlando at the Beacham on Friday, May 2. He hopes to inspire attendees at all of Egypt 80’s shows to realize a sense of collective responsibility to humanity and nature. “I hope people are able to be inspired to take up their responsibility,” he says, emphasizing the role music plays in uniting people for a common cause.
While the legacy of his father is ever-present in Kuti’s work, he is also forging new ground with the recent release of his album Heavier Yet (Lays the Crownless Head). The album, produced by Lenny Kravitz, has been met with critical acclaim and hailed as his most powerful work to date.
One of the standout tracks, “Move (Keep Moving Version),” a collaboration with saxophonist Kamasi Washington, reimagines his previous material with a fusion of Afrobeat and spiritual jazz. This collaboration further demonstrates Kuti’s ability to work with new sounds and players while staying true to his roots.
Looking ahead, Kuti remains committed to keeping the spirit of Egypt 80 alive and evolving. “It’s always been an honor to be a part of that story,” he says of his involvement with the band. And though the world may have changed since his father’s time, Kuti’s dedication to his music and his familial commitment to social activism remains as strong as ever.
Or as Brit rock mag Mojo opined, Kuti uses his music in service of the three Rs: “resistance, resilience and revolution.” All much needed needed in this day and age.
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This article appears in Apr 30 – May 6, 2025.